Shutdown in Pulwama, Shopian against militant, civilian killings

Srinagar: A complete shutdown in Shopian and Pulwama districts against the killing of two militants and a civilian during a gunfight in Chaigund village of Shopian has crippled normal life in both the South Kashmir districts.
All shops and other business establishments are closed and passenger transport is off the roads.There were reports of massive protests in Shopian against the killings of two militants – Sameer Ahmad Wani of Odoo and Firdous Ahmad of Ganawpora – and the civilian Shakir Ahmad Mir of Kalampora Pulwama.
A top police official said that the civilian was killed in “cross-fire” between the militants and the government forces.
‘What happened to Asiya-Neelofar case will happen to Ashifa’s case, Says Rajouri legislator
Rajouri : People’s Democratic Party legislator from Rajouri Chowdary Qamar Hussain Thursday alleged that Government is shielding the culprits involved in the rape and murder of Ashifa, a minor girl from Hiranagar Kathua who dead body was recently recovered by locals in charred condition.
Addressing a press conference at Dak Bungalow Rajouri, Hussain said that it was only after hue and cry raised by people, that government woke up from slumber, otherwise the intention of police was clear and that was to let off the culprits.
“Handing over case to Crime Branch is to hoodwink the people. This case will meet same fate as was done to the case of Neelofar-Aasiya case of Shopian South Kashmir,” he said.
The legislator said that government and police administration are trying to pacify the anguished people through fake probes. “Why suspected are not being questioned. Why Government is not taking the case seriously and why it only rely on statements only,” Advocate Qamar Hussain Chowdary said.
Meanwhile, locals said that police even didn’t question a Patwari near whose shed the body of Ashifa was recovered. “To shield the culprits, police did everything possible,” they said. (CNS)